TAP GRIN study
Home /Targeting GRIN-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders Clinical Trial**
This study is an international clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety and potential benefits of Lserine supplementation in children and young adults with GRINrelated neurodevelopmental disorders caused by confirmed lossoffunction variants in the GRIN1, GRIN2A, GRIN2B or GRIN2D genes. These conditions may be associated with epilepsy, intellectual disability and/or behavioural difficulties.

The study uses a randomized, doubleblind, placebocontrolled crossover design, meaning that participants will receive both Lserine and placebo at different times, allowing each individual to serve as their own comparison. Participation includes a screening visit, a short baseline observation period, and regular outpatient followup visits over a minimum period of one year.
Throughout the study, participants undergo noninvasive clinical, developmental and neurological assessments, with careful safety monitoring. To ensure participant safety, only individuals with proven lossoffunction variants are eligible, reflecting current evidence that Lserine may be harmful in gainoffunction GRIN variants.
The study aims to improve understanding of targeted treatments for GRINrelated disorders while prioritizing safety, scientific rigor and the wellbeing of participating families.
Families interested in taking part in this international clinical study are invited to contact the study coordinator at each site.
In Italy:
Dr. Simona Balestrini (Meyer Hospital Florence). Contact Giulio Peroni’s email: giulio.peroni@meyer.it
In France:
Dr. Eleni Panagiotakaki (Hospices Civils de Lyon). Contact Lea Barbieri’s email: lea.barbieri01@chu-lyon.fr
In Poland:
Dr. Sergiusz Józwiak (Children’s Memorial Health Institute in Warsaw). Contact Magdalena Mlostek’s email: magdalena.mlostek@ipczd.pl
Who Can Participate? (Key Inclusion Criteria)
Participants must:
- Be between 2 and 30 years old.
- Have a clinical diagnosis of a GRIN-related neurodevelopmental disorder (with epilepsy and/or intellectual disability and/or behavioural challenges).
- Carry a pathogenic lossoffunction variant in GRIN1, GRIN2A, GRIN2B, or GRIN2D.
- Provide informed consent (and assent where required).
- Have caregivers able to follow study procedures.
**If currently taking Lserine, a 1week washout period is required before the screening visit.
Study Timeline
The study involves:
- Screening visit
- 4week baseline observation period
- Treatment cycles, each lasting 6 months:
- 3 months Lserine
- 3 months placebo
(order randomized)
- Study visits every ~3 months, at the end of each treatment block
A minimum of two treatment cycles is required → ~12 months total participation.
All visits are outpatient; no hospital admission or overnight stay is required.
What Assessments Are Included?
Clinical & Neuropsychological Evaluations
- CGI scales
- VinelandIII or ABAS3
- CBCL / ABCL
- EpiTrack
- Motor assessments
- Sleep questionnaires
Epilepsy-Related Testing
- Seizure diary review
- EEG (for participants with epilepsy)
Additional Procedures
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in Italy and France sites
- Blood tests for routine safety labs (small volumes)
- Optional cellular substudy (requires separate consent and negative HBV/HCV/HIV serology)
Functional Evidence Requirement
A lossoffunction (LoF) confirmation is required for enrolment.
If this testing has not been completed, the study team will work with families and collaborators to determine whether functional data exist or can be generated.
Medications During the Study
- No specific antiseizure medications are prohibited.
- Most treatments may continue.
- All medications and supplements — including spermidine — must be:
- Documented
- Ideally kept stable throughout the study
Exclusion Criteria
Individuals are not eligible if they:
- Are younger than 2 years
- Have hypersensitivity to study products
- Have unstable medical conditions that pose risk
- Recently participated in another investigational medicinal product trial
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have GRIN variants without clear LoF evidence (see Functional Evidence Requirement section)